Job Summary
With effect from 1 April 2026, Norfolk Community Health & Care NHS Trust will merge with Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust to form the new East of England Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. This new organisation will deliver a wide range of community health and social care services to more than 4 million people, supported by a workforce of over 7,000 and a budget of approximately £380 million. This is an exciting time to join us as we shape a new, ambitious future for community healthcare across the region.
We are seeking a GPhC-registered Pharmacy Technician to join our expanding Medicines Optimisation Team on a part‑time basis (26.5 hours per week), maternity cover. Our small, friendly, ward‑based team is growing as we develop patient‑facing roles across the Trust. You will play a key part in delivering our medicines optimisation strategy, working closely with ward teams and our Pharmacy provider to deliver high‑quality, patient‑centred care.
Applicants should hold an accreditation in Medicines Management that meets the National Medicines Management Framework, or be willing to work towards this.
Working hours are Monday to Friday, with flexible options available.
Joining our evolving service at such a pivotal moment means you'll help shape how medicines optimisation is delivered across our wards, contributing to the development of an innovative and high‑quality clinical service in partnership with our clinical pharmacists.
Responsibilities
* Ensure timely medicines reconciliation on the designated in‑patient unit to facilitate a smooth admission.
* Appropriately refer interventions to clinical pharmacists, liaising with other members of the MDT within scope and experience; escalating to the Head of Medicines Optimisation as necessary.
* Ensure appropriate management and administration of medications in accordance with legislation, Trust policy and professional standards.
* Assess, use and destroy patients’ own drugs and encourage patients’ relatives/carers to use patients’ own medicines.
* Destroy expired or unwanted medicines as per trust procedure.
* Ensure wards have appropriate stock rotation, stock lists and medicines storage and review regularly with the ward pharmacist and ward manager.
* Initiate requests for ward non‑stock and when relevant ward stock items.
* Facilitate resolution of medicines supply problems when requested.
* Assist in training of ward staff involved in medicines management and administration.
* Record all patient interventions and medicines management activity in the patient record.
* Assist with the medicines management audit agenda working with NCHC colleagues.
* Provide patient counselling on the use of medicines to selected patients as identified by the MDT.
* Accuracy check the quantity, quality of drug, strength, form, dose and directions of medicines contained in bedside locker to ensure no discrepancies and sufficient supply for discharge.
* Organise timely supply of new or additional items required for discharge as part of the clinical pharmacy team.
* Organise compliance aids for individual patients (medication reminder cards, dosette boxes etc.) as part of the pharmacy team.
* Minimise clinical risk associated with medicines use by ensuring:
o Prescriptions are legible, unambiguous and legally acceptable
o Medicines are administered according to standards and guidelines
* Support staff when medicine error incidents occur and identify ways to improve safe handling of medicines.
* Liaise with other health‑care professionals regarding pharmaceutical discharge needs of patients and check appropriate risk assessments.
* Liaise with other units and pharmacists on transitions for patients from one NHS unit to another.
* Liaise with community pharmacists and GPs regarding difficulties in supply of medicines to smooth the discharge plan.
* Undertake necessary continuing pharmacy education and keep abreast of new developments in medicines optimisation and pharmacy.
* Undertake other duties as required by the pharmacy team and Head of Medicines Optimisation.
* Undertake prescribed physical and mental health observations as required, reporting exceptions as appropriate and using tools such as SBAR, Track & Trigger.
* Monitor and report all omissions in line with Trust policy and contribute to service trend monitoring.
* Actively monitor and review the effects of prescribed medication for the patient group, noting efficacy and potential side effects, and acting promptly to escalat e concerns or seek advice regarding medication changes.
* Participate in team meetings, service away days and development initiatives as required.
* Have a good knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures and raise concerns as required.
* Operate with a degree of autonomy within safe limits; refer to the designated clinical ward pharmacist and Head of Medicines Optimisation when unsure or when complex situations arise.
* Communicate succinctly and effectively with patients and other staff; record interventions that demonstrate effectiveness.
Qualifications
* NVQ Level 3 – pharmacy services / BTEC in pharmaceutical science or equivalent.
* Accredited checking technician status or likely to achieve within 3 months.
* Current GPhC registration – Pharmacy Technician.
* Desirable: post‑registration clinical/foundation credential qualification and/or significant relevant medicines optimisation experience.
* Desirable: Medicines reconciliation accreditation.
* Desirable: Medicines related patient consultation skills accreditation.
* Desirable: Supervisory skills.
* Desirable: Medicines Management accreditation.
* Desirable: Member of APTUK.
Experience
* Medicines optimisation knowledge and experience.
* Experience of working in ward, community services or primary care environment.
* Post‑qualification experience.
* Evidence of CPD.
* Basic knowledge of primary care.
* Digital pharmacy experience.
* Desirable: In‑depth post‑qualification experience in pharmacy.
* Desirable: Hospital‑based experience.
* Desirable: Experience of POD scheme.
* Desirable: Experience working in community services.
* Desirable: Evidence of team role and multidisciplinary work.
* Desirable: Experience of clinical audit.
Skills, Abilities & Knowledge
* Knowledge of ward‑based technicians role including reuse of patients’ own drugs, one‑stop dispensing, self‑administration and discharge of patients.
* Knowledge of the changing NHS environment.
* Ability to work as an individual and as part of a team.
* Ability to organise and prioritise workload to meet deadlines and targets.
* Word processing and computer skills including email, internet, Microsoft Word and Excel.
* Accurate numeracy skills including data analysis and interpretation.
* Good interpersonal skills.
* Attention to detail.
* Ability to recognise personal limits and seek advice when appropriate.
* Desirable: Assessment, planning and evaluation skills.
* Desirable: Good clinical, pharmaceutical and health promotion knowledge.
* Desirable: Ability to investigate, analyse and interpret data.
* Desirable: Fast and adaptable learner.
* Desirable: Project management skills.
* Desirable: Understanding of broader social and health care system.
* Desirable: Knowledge of electronic prescribing and medicines administration systems.
Communication
* Good written and verbal communication.
* Good person‑centred care skills.
* Able to relate well to a wide range of people.
* Ability to work independently and use own initiative.
* Ability to share own knowledge, skills and experience.
* Good written communication skills including report writing, procedure writing and record keeping.
* Desirable: Report writing skills.
* Desirable: Good patient counselling skills.
Personal and People Development
* Good time management skills.
* Able to work under pressure.
* Attention to patient‑centred care.
* Adaptable in approach to work and projects.
Personal Attributes & Behaviours
* Commitment and understanding of treating all individuals with dignity and respect.
* Commitment to safeguarding and promoting welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
* Highly motivated and reliable; effective role model demonstrating NCHC values of people, community, compassion & creativity.
* Enthusiastic and willing to learn.
* Professional attitude.
* Able to work as part of a team or independently with a flexible approach to duties.
Other Essential
* Committed to self and service development.
* Fit to perform full duties of the post through occupational health, with reasonable aids and adaptations if necessary; some roles may require additional checks due to work with children, vulnerable adults or families.
* Willingness and ability to work across different sites.
Desirable
* Full and valid driving licence and access to a vehicle.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a submission for disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.
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